Reason #1 to Love Baseball: No Clock

The Northwestern varsity baseball team led the Michigan Wolverines 14-0 in the 3^rd inning on Monday.  To add insult to injury, it was Michigan’s Senior Day, a chance for the home fans to honor the graduating members of the team.  I can sympathize with any Michigan booster who left the game early, believing a 14 run deficit too great to overcome, and a 14 run home loss to much to bear…but I can never forgive.

Michigan rallied back to win 15-14 in 10 innings.  Northwestern had to play for all 27 outs before the celebration could begin.  They couldn’t run out the clock, and they lost.

The truth is that in most team sports (football, basketball, soccer, hockey), the final minutes of the game do not allow for a comeback.  There simply are not enough ticks remaining.  In baseball, with 2 outs, 2 strikes on the batter, bases empty, bottom of the 9^th, down by 10 runs, you still have a chance.  You play until your opponent gets 27 outs, no matter how long it takes.  A 4 goal deficit in hockey in the final 20 seconds in insurmountable.  A 3 touchdown hole with 27 seconds remaining cannot be overcome.  The beauty of baseball is that it ain’t over til it’s over.

Sometimes I wish life were more like baseball.  A single shift in momentum, a few lucky breaks, and everything could change.  Time would never run out on you.  You could always achieve exactly what you had always dreamed of achieving, and tired bones or fading eyesight wouldn’t matter.  That final out may not come until you’ve won.

Maybe life is already like baseball.  I’ve got a few more at bats in me.  What about you?  Thanks, Big Blue, and congratulations on a stunning victory that inspires us all. 

Unless you’re a Northwestern fan.  In that case, the lesson is different.